Experienced coach Zachary Baraje, who left Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Plateau United last season, has disclosed that he is in talks with both Kano Pillars and Katsina United.

Speaking on his next destination, Baraje said: “Kano Pillars and I are still at the stage of courtship but nothing tangible has come out of our discussions yet. I have also been having preliminary talks with Katsina United.

“We are also yet to come to terms and concretize the arrangements, but whichever pulls through any moment from now is where I will be headed,” he further added.

Baraje impressively led Plateau United to safety last season having also led Akwa United to the Federation Cup title last year.

I could be recalled that KATSINA POST reported that Katsina United, which recently got promoted to the Nigeria Professional Football League, have assured that they would retain most of the players who won promotion for the team as they campaign in the Nigeria elite football league next season.

Chairman of newly promoted side, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to Katsina State governor on sports, said there are no plans to overhaul the team as he said most of the players who represented the club in the National League are premier league materials.

He said “It was these same players that defeated highly rated Mountain of Fire Miracle in the Federation Cup before they went on to give FC IfeanyiUbah a run for their money in the same competition”.

Kurfi said having shown such level of capabilities, it would make no sense to do away with the same players simply because Katsina United have qualified for the Nigeria Professional Football League.

“I am waiting for the technical report but I can tell you that there are no plans to overhaul the team. It does not make sense to tamper with a winning team.

“We cannot just discard these players because of our new status. We have to give them the opportunity to prove that they can play against the best in the local league,” he said.

He, however, said at the appropriate time, the team will be beefed up in few departments to make it stronger for the challenges ahead.

Kurfi also said the government of Katsina State has since expressed its readiness to give the club the required support to compete in the NPFL.

“We have confidence in the players we have but that does not mean we are not going to tinker with the team. We would bring in one or two players to strengthen our present squad.

“What I am saying is that majority of the old players would be retained for the Nigerian Professional Football League action,” he assured.